Monthly Archive for March, 2012

: March, 2012

The economy is weak, but the lobbying industry in New York appears to be robust. Lobbying spending soared to a record $220 million in 2011, according to a report today by the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics. The pace of the record spending was set by the Committee to Save New York, a business-backed […] …

Here are some highlights from my read of the revenue bill, which is now sitting on legislators’ desks: — The core of the Cuomonian economic development “jobs, jobs jobs” agenda seems to be authorized …

Twenty-three Senate Democrats have signed on to a letter to Republican Sen. George Maziarz, asking him to withdraw a bill similar to Florida’s “stand your ground” law. The bill would allow someone to use “deadly physical force” if they are defending themselves from “imminent death” or protecting their home or car from a burglary. Such […] …

Gannett’s Albany Bureau last weekend reported how pension costs are expected to skyrocket 59 percent in 2013 compared to last year as officials warn that recent reforms will provide no immediate relief to the mounting expense. We reported on the 3,400 pensions for local governments and authorities in New York. It shows staggering growth in […] …

After a mothership meeting last night where Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos announced they had reached a tentative budget deal. The two leaders predicted bills would start passing Wednesday. The agreement includes new committees to oversee gambling initiatives and infrastructure projects and provide $805 million in new aid to schools. …

Just a few hours after the hoodie press conference, a group of almost two dozen Senate Democrats signed a letter calling on Republican Sen. George Maziarz to withdraw his so-called “stand your ground” …